What is g load?

"G load" is a term used to describe the amount of force an object or person experiences due to acceleration, such as during the takeoff or landing of a plane, or during high-speed turns in a race car. The letter "g" (short for "gravity") is used to measure this force, with one g being equal to the force of Earth's gravitational field.

The human body can withstand g forces up to about 5g before experiencing negative physiological effects such as loss of consciousness or injury to internal organs. Fighter jet pilots and astronauts in training are often subjected to g forces exceeding this limit during high-speed maneuvers, and must undergo specialized training to tolerate these stresses. In sports like Formula One racing, race cars can experience g forces up to 5g during turns, which can be physically demanding for the driver.

The design of vehicles and equipment must also take into account g forces, as excess force can cause structural damage or failure. For example, airplanes are designed to withstand g forces up to 2.5g, and race cars have specialized suspensions and aerodynamics to handle high-speed turns.